Hotel Keight: A Modern Tribute to Opatija’s Maritime Past

Hotel Keight emerges in Opatija as a quietly confident piece of modern architecture, weaving together maritime memory and contemporary hospitality. Designed by 3LHD, the hotel reframes notions of travel and social gathering through spatial choreography that recalls a ship’s decks, while remaining rooted in the town’s storied seaside tradition.

Design Team & Vision

Led by the Croatian studio 3LHD under the direction of Saša Begovi and Tatjana Grozdani Begovi, Hotel Keight reflects the practice’s penchant for melding context with bold geometry. The project team—spanning architecture, landscape, and specialist consultants—collaborated from research in 2018 through construction completion in mid 2024. Their goal was to craft a building that feels both contemporary and timeless, honoring Opatija’s turn of the century resort heritage without resorting to pastiche.

A Nautical Narrative in Plan

At the heart of the concept is the idea of a vessel: public spaces on the “main deck,” private rooms tucked into upper “cabins,” and amenities aloft on the “sun deck.” The ground floor restaurant and bar recall old coastal kitchens and Viennese coffeehouses, linked by a garden loggia that bridges indoor and outdoor life. Circulation unfolds like a promenade on deck, guiding guests from arrival through social hubs to private retreats and, finally, to the rooftop’s panoramic vantage.

Guest Experience & Function

Rooms are conceived as contemporary “staterooms,” borrowing their name and atmosphere from first class ship cabins. Dark, storm tinted palettes cocoon occupants in a sense of refuge, while expansive windows frame views of the Adriatic and two nearby parks. Below, a basement wellness zone houses a 25 meter pool and multipurpose event space, extending the hotel’s communal ethos into fitness and conferences.

Façade & Urban Dialogue

Hotel Keight’s exterior adopts a disciplined grid of glazed panels set within pronounced horizontal and vertical elements. This rhythm resonates with Opatija’s historic villas and seafront hotels, while the restrained material palette—muted tones and subtle textures—ensures the building complements rather than competes with its heritage surroundings. At night, internal glow animates the grid, recalling lanterns on a ship’s hull.

Technical Sheet